First, I'd like to thank NetGalley, Joseph O'Connor, and Dreamscape for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, this book left me feeling completely confused. I’m not sure if that’s because I didn’t read the first book and missed key information, but the constant shifts in perspective—from news bulletins to interviews to a POV of someone trying to escape—made it incredibly hard to follow. I never really felt grounded in the story, and by 40%, I decided to DNF.

I had high hopes for this one, but it just wasn’t for me. I was looking for something much more engaging, and instead, I found myself struggling to keep up. My review is based solely on the first 40% of the book, as I didn’t finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

I can’t say much about this book because it confused me, I was constantly trying to catch up with what was happening and when I felt like I had a grasp it changed situations. I didn’t feel I connected to any of the characters, and I just felt really confused the whole time, so it wasn’t enjoyable for me

The Ghosts of Rome: is the second of The Rome Escape Line Trilogy by Joseph O'Connor. This installment portrays the stresses and pressures faced by "The Choir" as they continue to plan and execute escape for Jews, POWs, and allied soldiers from Nazi controlled Rome. Led by Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who resides in Vatican City, the members of the choir have grown weary, financially strapped, and have begun to quarrel as to how best to proceed.
There is a benefactress in the widowed Contessa Giovanna Landini. The villa that belonged to her husband's family for generations is now the residence of SS Commander Paul Hauptmann. Their home now soiled by his presence, wine cellar raided and artwork offered as gifts to the Führer. Hauptmann enjoys the slights his occupation brings to the Contessa, but his concern is elsewhere. He was left behind with the order to dismantle the escape line. The safety of his wife and children are at risk, They presently "enjoy" Gestapo supervision in Berlin,

O'Conner deftly explores how far each side is willing to go to attain their goals as the war becomes more and more incessant. This fictional representation of events conveys very real emotions throughout the book. The reader cannot help but be moved by the heroic and selfless acts of so many for people they knew nothing more of than they are fellow human beings. A lesson for us all.

I look forward to release of the final installment.

My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this novel.

This book was a hard read, but a good one. I enjoyed the historical information that was in this book, and adored every character. The peek into life in Nazi Occupied Italy/under Mussolini.

This book took me on a wild ride, though it did have a bit of a slow start in the first few chapters for me (though maybe I was just having an off day). Once I got to chapter three I was super invested, and I loved the story from there on.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Part two of Joseph O'Connor's trilogy about the WWII escape line through Rome headed up by Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. This book focuses on the fictional widowed Contessa Giovanna Landini, and her role in the Choir. The story adds meat to the first in the Trilogy "My Father's House" and maintains the atmosphere that must have pervaded Rome at the time.
The interpersonal stresses that inevitably seep into any resistance movement when trying to operate in secrecy, are descriptively written. The book is a page turner. While Joseph O'Connor stresses that it is a work of fiction, he captures vividly what must have been the reality of the time.

An audio read about the continual efforts of Father Hugh O’Flaherty and his “Choir” valiantly housing and smuggling Jews and others out of Italy during WWII . This book chronicles their efforts and in particular an injured parachuter. Lots of descriptions and recounts by various people .

While the storyline was interesting, and the chapters themselves were written well, I spent the majority of the audiobook really confused. I could not figure out what was going on most of the time. Maybe it was just a very different style than I prefer but I just struggled

The writing overall felt choppy in a poetic sort of way, and disjointed and had a lot of characters. It would hop from character to character, current timeline to a future recorded interview of one of the characters, then back to another character. It was just so hard to keep track of or to know what was going on.

When I was in the middle of a chapter that I could grab a thread on, I enjoyed that piece and the writing of it. It just didn’t stay there long enough for me to get into it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.

During World War II, a group called The Choir helped people escape Nazi-occupied Rome through a secret route. When an airman falls from the sky, The Choir faces danger and internal conflict. Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, the leader, struggles with the risks of keeping the Escape Line going. SS Commander Paul Hauptmann is tasked with destroying the operation or risking his family's lives. The Contessa Giovanna Landini challenges Hauptmann's authority.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to read this book and received both the ebook and audiobook versions. Although I have not yet read the first book in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook. The narrators did an excellent job of keeping me engaged and interested, making it easy to follow the storyline flawlessly.

Growing up in the Czech Republic, I vividly remember the time when the country was under communist rule and the restrictions we faced. Living next door to Germany, I have always been intrigued by books about war, as so much of the history hits close to home.

While I am unsure if this book is a direct follow-up to the first in the series, it stood well on its own and piqued my interest to go back and read the previous installment.

If you appreciate historical fiction that closely mirrors true events, prompting you to delve deeper into the details and history, then this book is a perfect fit for you. It will undoubtedly make you reflect on and appreciate the freedoms and voice we have today, a luxury that was not always available during my upbringing. The Ghosts of Rome is a thrilling historical suspense novel filled with action and memorable characters.

Thank you, Dreamscape Media and Europa Editions, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read this book. I have read the first book in the series and it was interesting to listen to the second book. I liked the different voices. Great storyline, set in the final months of WW2 and inspired by the true story of the Rome escape line. Refugees are smuggled to safety and help is given to Allied soldiers by activists called The Choir. Thrilling and moving. Fantastic book.

Review to follow on Goodreads under the name of Sarah Truckell

I listened to the audiobook version of The Ghosts of Rome, which is the second book in the Rome Escape Line Trilogy written by Joseph O’Connor. Having previously listened to hundreds of WWII historical fiction novels, I found the premise profoundly unique. I had no idea that there was a resistance group that ran out of the Vatican during Nazi occupation. Although the story is fiction, it features several real life figures from that time, including Irish Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, and his “choir” of volunteer resistance fighters who helped Jews, refugees, and stranded soldiers escape Rome.

The audiobook featured a multitude of narrators, which helped a little bit in keeping the characters straight. However, I did not like how various points of view kept shifting between first person and the third person. There were also letters and interview transcriptions from decades later. Perhaps this would have translated better in book format, but for the audiobook listener, it was confusing.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of the audiobook. This review is in my own words and freely given.

*A big thank-you to Joseph O'Connor, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
Historical fiction based around The Choir, located in Vatican, which was a group of couragous individuals determined to help those in need to be smuggled out of Rome during WW2.
It was an engaging listen for me since I did not know much about resistance in Rome during WW2 or about The Choir. This may be a work of fiction but it is an example of solid research behind the story.

I really enjoyed My Fathers House ( this first of this trilogy) wans was looking forward to getting back to this meticulously researched time in Rome at the close of World War 2. The novel gets straight back to the action, picking up where the first book ended. I have read many books in between so while I did love the first book, it took me a little while to refamiliarize myself with the characters. Once I did, the book flowed effortlessly, full of espionage, resistance and survival. I enjoyed the focus shifting to the Contessa, a super character and overall , while this did not quite reach the heights of book one for me, this was an excellent read. I loved the vivid descriptions, the building tension, the various narrative perspectives and I am very much looking forward to book three.

4 stars.

The audio was super, multiple narrators , a really entertaining listen.

Book #2 of the Rome Escape Line. RELEASE DATE IS TOMORROW!! 2/4/2025!!

OK... So I LOVED book #1 (My Father's House), and I wasn't sure if this one was going to be able to compete with it.... or even hold a candle to it...
Not a problem at all! This one was phenomenal too!!!

And, let me just say that I LOVE Jo!!! (Giovanna Landini)
She is quite a character, and what a pillar of the escape community, as well as strength, character, and determination....even when she just didn't think she could do one more thing....

And Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty...well, he's just amazing!!! What a gift to the entire Catholic Community!!

So, book #2 gives us a soldier who arrives badly injured and in need of help... BUT, Hitler and his men have just announced that they have 'spies' in the community. People you 'think' are your 'friends and neighbors', but are actually employed by the Reich. =0

Well, if this doesn't put the fear of God in you, I'm not sure what will. Given that DEATH is the punishment for helping ANY opponents of Hitler and his regime....

So, when Jo finds this injured soldier and insists that he be helped...well, the rest of the crew is not sure that he can be trusted, or even helped...he is so near death when he is found...

But of course they give in to her, and decide to help...

"The Choir" is the crew that is helping to 're-locate' the injured, the Jews, and people trying to escape Hitler's fury. But things are really starting to HEAT UP...and the trail leading to them is getting hotter....

And Hauptmann, the guy in charge of the soldiers in Rome, is a real piece of work to start with. But when they put even more pressure on him, well he gives more in return...to all the inhabitants of Rome...

Interesting and yet sad and scary to read the goings on of Hitler via Rome.

One line that really got to me was: 'Rome is run by a man in whom Human Pity and even Fear of Retribution are Quite Dead. The events of the past forty hours will ramify in serious ways. I fear that we are entering a new chapter...'

This one made me laugh. Made me cry. Made me think. And makes me very grateful for living in the US in these current crazy times. Very hard to even imagine what life was like in those days...

5+++ stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨

#TheGhostsOfRome by #JosephOConnor and narrated brilliantly by a full cast including: #StephenHogan, #BarnabyEdwards, #AoifeDuffin, #DavidJohn, #GertrudeToma and #LaurenceBouvard.

Again, this is book #2, so if you haven't read book #1 yet, I'd advise you do that first!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which is being released tomorrow, 2.4.25... so, LOOK 👀 FOR IT THEN!!

As for me… You can always find my reviews on: Goodreads.
Insta: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

In the final months of World War II, a clandestine group known as The Choir successfully smuggles thousands of escapees out of Nazi-occupied Rome via a secret route known as the Escape Line. When an unidentified airman falls wounded from the sky, The Choir is plunged into danger and the survival of the Escape Line itself is threatened.

I enjoyed the suspense factor in this tale. It is action packed and there are definitely some contentious moments. And the Contessa…she is bold and she kept this story moving for me!!

I read the first book in this series, In My Father’s House. You can read my review here. It is not necessary that you read these books in order. I did enjoy the first one a bit more than the second one. But, keep in mind, I have read a ton of WWII books lately and I may just be bored with this time period…it happens 🤷🏻‍♀️.

This is narrated by Stephen Hogan; Barnaby Edwards; Aoife Duffin; David John; Gertrude Toma; Laurence Bouvard. I love a good tag team. However, there were places that the audio was read like it was a cassette tape. It had an echo or it sounded like it was in a hole. I understand why this was done this way, but I really didn’t like it. This was just minor, but it did get on my nerves.

Need a historical suspense novel…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Audiobook review – A delicate tale of espionage and daring feats of bravery set in the walls of Rome and Vatican City. The mesmerising story telling is helped dramatically by the cast of narrators who bring this story to life. The descriptive story offers you a great smell, taste and feel the ambiance surrounding the atmosphere and the fear that is tangible. Great story and wonderfully narrated!

This was captivating and enjoyable.
Even if I haven’t read the first book I did enjoy this book. A great read for people who loved historical fiction.
I have to read the first book now.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Dreamscape Media for ARC (audiobook).

ALC Review
“The Ghosts of Rome” is the second release in Joseph O’Connor’s Rome Escape Line Trilogy. The series is a fictionalised interpretation of the work of real life Irish Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, the so called “Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican” and his “choir” of volunteer resistance fighters in Nazi occupied Rome. Operating out of the protective bounds of neutral Vatican City, The Choir plan and execute an escape line of Jews, refugees, POWs and stranded soldiers from under the nose of an SS Commander Hauptmann.
I read the prequel “My Father’s House” last summer, and had mixed feelings about it. The subject matter is fascinating to me as I love history, and living near where the real life Hugh O’Flaherty spent his final years, I was keen to learn more about this local hero. My challenge with reading a hard copy of the book was that there are many, many narrators, with characters introduced throughout the story in various ways- first person POV, third person, via letter, or interview transcription years in the future. This unique approach made for a confusing narrative when I had to hold them all in my minds eye. When the sequel came out I was curious to try an audiobook version, and I’m glad I did. While the format remains the same, the different voice actors do a great job of bringing the story to life, and audio editing to emulate aged interview recordings, gives more colour to the story. In this way, I found it much easier to tune in to the narrative. The Ghosts of Rome features the same elements of suspense and intrigue as My Father’s House, though as the war comes closer to its climax, the stakes are ever higher. I’d recommend to fans of WW2 history looking to read about a lesser known figure who made a huge difference.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC. The Ghosts of Rome is out now.

I wanted to preface this review with two things: (1) I didn't realize this book was part of a trilogy (which I should have, since it's clearly written in the title). The beginning of the book was slow for me because I was trying to understand the context of what was happening (beyond what I already knew from the novel summary). Therefore, I am planning to read the first book so that it will cover any gaps. (2) The advanced copy that I received for this book was an audiobook, so my feedback is targeted toward that specific format. Something I liked about the audio was that there were multiple narrators. This was really helpful for separating the storylines, especially without having the actual page in front of me. The main narrator was FANTASTIC, and I could listen to him read all day. For that reason, though, there were times when I wished the entire story was read by him. Regardless, the story was very entertaining. If you like historical fiction, you'll like this one. Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC!

Great historical action! True life charcacters in incredibly blended into situations and many acts of bravery. The Choir works endlessly to smuggle WW2 refugees out of Rome via the "Roman Underground Railroad". Very fast paced, with a pulse pounding ending.

5 stars

The Ghosts of Rome is a standalone book in the Rome Escape Line trilogy. This book tells the story of an underground group in the city of Rome in March of 1944. The group, known as The Choir, is operating an escape line used to help smuggle Jewish people, allied soldiers, prisoners of war and other people the Nazis deem as undesirable out of the city. While the group is facing their own internal challenges, the Germans are set on bringing them down once and for all.

From the in-depth detail and descriptions, it was very apparent that this fictional story based on real people was very well researched by the author. At times the plethora of information was a little overwhelming, but in the same token, as this story line was not the typical WWII historical fiction plot, it provided much insight on subjects that I as a reader was not as familiar with. From the significant role that women played, the inner operations of an escape ring to the psychological warfare between some of the characters, this book is filled with intrigue.

This subject matter in this book was shared with care and great consideration and was very thorough, descriptive and well written. I found the story to be fascinating and enjoyed that it focused on different subject matters and perspectives than I am typically used to.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the advance release copy of the audio version of this book.